Frequently Asked Questions

The ZIP Route, which is available during selected periods, is valid for one calendar month and ends on the last day of the month.

By using the Eurasia Tunnel, you can set personal targets in the ZIP Route and earn rewards as you “zip” toward the goals you choose. As your targets increase within the ZIP Route, you can qualify for larger rewards.

Even if you do not have any paid tunnel passes, you can still earn eligibility for rewards by making a payment transaction during the benefit period.

You can track your tunnel passes and rewards within the ZIP Route on the Eurasia Tunnel mobile app.

The ZIP Rewards Program offers services to members in Turkish only through the mobile app. To create an Eurasia Tunnel membership, you must have a Turkish Identity Number or a Foreign Identity Number, as well as a phone number registered in Türkiye.

All membership information, except for the Turkish Identity Number/Tax Identity Number, can be changed later by logging in to your membership account. The membership account can be suspended to stop receiving system emails or revoked to permanently delete all existing information.

Just like your other information, communication details can also be updated through the membership account. Communication preferences are based on the GSM number and email address you initially provided. Users may remove one of these preferences and limit communications to a single channel.

Each member is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided during registration. Entering a frequently used email address and GSM number is essential to receive illegal-pass notifications in a timely and reliable manner. For corporate members, only one membership can be assigned per email address and Turkish Identity Number/Tax Identity Number. A user is not allowed to create multiple memberships using the same email address or Turkish Identity Number/Tax Identity Number.

Adding a license plate number is done during the “subscription process.” Afterward, license plates can be added or removed through “My Account.”

For corporate memberships, license plate numbers can also be added after the subscription has been completed. A license plate can be added or removed either individually or in bulk using an Excel file (in .xlsx format).

Eurasia Tunnel membership is a service provided by ATAŞ for tunnel users to keep them informed regarding unpaid or illegal passes. Registered members can receive information about their illegal passes via email and/or SMS, enabling them to make the necessary payments without incurring fines. A registered member can also track all debts related to illegal passes for every license plate registered under their membership.

There are two types of membership: individual and corporate.
Individual users may subscribe by providing their basic identification information, Turkish Identity Number, email address, and a valid GSM number. After the membership information is completed and the membership agreement is accepted, users can activate their membership by entering the activation code sent via SMS to their GSM number on the activation page.

Corporate users must enter their company information, Tax Identity Number, and company email address to subscribe. After completing the membership information and accepting the membership agreement, corporate users can activate their membership by clicking the activation link sent to their email address.

A maximum of five license plates can be linked to an individual account and up to 100,000 plates to a corporate account.

All membership information with the exception of the Republic of Turkey Identity Number/Tax Identity Number can be changed subsequently after signing-in the membership account. Membership account can be suspended to stop receiving any further emails from the system or revoked to delete all existing information.

Corporate companies can create automatic payment instructions for as many license plates as they wish through the website and view or track their instructions through both the website and the mobile application. They can remove license plates from active instructions without canceling the entire order by deleting the desired license plates from the Registered License Plates page. Click here to view the Corporate Automatic Payment Instruction Guideline.

Individual users can set up automatic payment instructions for up to five license plates through the website or the mobile app.

The Eurasia Tunnel connects Kennedy Street on the European side to the D-100 Highway on the Asian side. This connection allows easy access to many central destinations on the European side—primarily the Historical Peninsula and the coastal route extending from Yenikapı into the city’s central areas—and on the Asian side, major districts along the D-100 corridor such as Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Ataşehir, and Maltepe.

In 2003, a pre-feasibility study for a Bosphorus crossing was conducted based on findings from the Transportation Master Plan Survey prepared by Istanbul University on behalf of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 1997. The study concluded that a road tunnel should be constructed beneath the Bosphorus, as a new bridge would create significant environmental impacts as well as additional planning and design challenges. In 2005, a feasibility study was carried out to assess available route options for the Tunnel. Based on this study, the current route was adopted primarily for the following reasons:

• Balanced traffic distribution resulting from the Tunnel’s location relative to the two existing Bosphorus bridges. 
• The lowest investment cost due to the Tunnel’s shorter length.
• The availability of sufficient space for construction sites and operational facilities (including toll plazas and operations buildings).

The Eurasia Tunnel can be accessed via Kazlıçeşme, Kocamustafapaşa, Yenikapı, and Kumkapı on the European side, and via Acıbadem, Uzunçayır, and Göztepe on the Asian side.

The entry and exit points of the Tunnel are located at Koşuyolu on the Asian side and at Kumkapı on the European side.

Toll fees for the Eurasia Tunnel are charged one way per vehicle. The current toll fee schedule can be found on the Fees page.

Fines for toll violations can be paid through banks, the Eurasia Tunnel website, or the mobile app. Payments may also be made by credit card.

You can check your payment status on the Eurasia Tunnel website by clicking here, or via the Eurasia Tunnel mobile app.

The toll fee can be paid without stopping using the Express Toll Collection System (HGS) and state-of-the-art free-flow portal technology. There are no cash toll booths within the Tunnel.

You can easily check your account status on the Eurasia Tunnel website or the mobile app and securely pay any outstanding tolls using your credit or debit card. Outstanding amounts can be paid without incurring a late fee if settled within 15 calendar days. After this period, the outstanding amount, together with applicable fines, becomes due.

According to the amendment to Law No. 6001, published in the Official Gazette on July 5th, 2022, for toll violations occurring on bridges, tunnels, and highways:

• Payments made within the first 15 days are processed without penalty.
• For payments made between 15 and 45 days, a penalty equal to one toll fee is applied.
• For payments made after 45 days, a penalty equal to four times the toll amount is applied.

This information is provided to inform our users.

Yes, vehicles can travel through the Tunnel by paying via the HGS system. There are no cash toll booths.

• Toll fees for the Eurasia Tunnel are collected through the free-flow portal using the HGS system.
• Since there are no cash toll booths at the Eurasia Tunnel, drivers must obtain their HGS cards from PTT branches, authorized sales points at the entry or exit of state highways, or contracted banks.
• Please ensure that your HGS account always has a sufficient balance to cover the toll.
• Any passage through the Eurasia Tunnel without sufficient balance on your HGS card will be considered a “toll violation,” just as on other toll roads and bridges.
• In the event of a toll violation, you can easily check your status on the Eurasia Tunnel website or the mobile app.
• You can securely pay any outstanding toll by credit card without incurring a fine if payment is made within 15 calendar days.
• However, under the law, if your account balance is insufficient or payment is not completed within 15 calendar days, a fine equal to four times the original toll will be imposed.

Toll booth management is used in the Eurasia Tunnel to improve traffic flow and utilize tunnel capacity as efficiently as possible. For this reason, during peak hours, the number of open toll lanes at the tunnel entrances may be adjusted from three lanes to two. This ensures that vehicles enter the Tunnel at consistent intervals, balances internal traffic conditions, and allows the Tunnel to operate at optimal capacity.

In addition, in situations such as accidents or vehicle breakdowns, heavy traffic may occur inside the Tunnel, and the average speed may fall below operational thresholds. In such cases, necessary assessments are conducted, and the number of open toll lanes may be temporarily reduced to a single lane.

Maintaining speed inside the Tunnel is also supported through monitoring vehicles as they pass through the toll booths. Speed detection sensors track vehicle speeds via the SCADA system, and toll booth management actions are determined based on the resulting average speed data. This system calculates traffic density within the Tunnel and enables real-time opening or closing of toll lanes, thereby continuously optimizing traffic flow.

Traffic management is conducted through the Smart Transportation System installed within the Tunnel and along the approach roads, as well as control systems integrated into the SCADA system.

By analyzing sensor data such as average speed and traffic density, lane barriers are managed to maintain smooth and stable traffic flow.

For this reason, during peak traffic periods, the number of open toll lanes at the Tunnel entrances may be adjusted from three lanes to two. This enables vehicles to enter the Tunnel at consistent intervals, ensuring balanced internal traffic conditions and optimal use of tunnel capacity.

In addition, in situations such as accidents or vehicle breakdowns that may cause congestion within the Tunnel, traffic flow may be regulated to maintain standard operating speeds. In such cases, following necessary assessments, the number of open toll lanes may be temporarily reduced to a single lane.

Specialized police patrol teams are dispatched to incidents that are continuously monitored by Tunnel Control Room operators and the SCADA system, ensuring the fastest possible response.

First-response vehicles specially designed for the Eurasia Tunnel are fully equipped to provide immediate on-site intervention in any accident.

Specially designed fire trucks for the Eurasia Tunnel enable rapid response to fires. In addition, fire extinguisher cabinets are installed every 65 meters throughout the Tunnel and are available for immediate use. Under the protocol signed with the Istanbul Fire Department, emergency teams can reach the site of an incident in the shortest possible time.
In case of a fire, Tunnel users must leave their vehicles and proceed to the next deck via the nearest emergency stairs. Jet fans on the side opposite the fire will operate in reverse to draw fresh air from outside and prevent smoke recirculation between the two levels. Fans at the level affected by the fire will operate at full capacity, pushing smoke out through ventilation shafts rather than allowing it to circulate within the Tunnel.

The seismic impact of an earthquake with a magnitude of Mw 7.25 on the Eurasia Tunnel—located approximately 17 km from the Main Marmara Fault—would be equivalent to an Mw 8 event according to the EMS’98 and MMI scales. However, the earthquake-resistant design ensures that the Tunnel will sustain no damage even in the event of an Mw 9 earthquake.

Due to tectonic stress release following the 1999 Kocaeli earthquake and the fact that no earthquake stronger than Mw 7 has occurred on the Main Marmara Fault Line since 1894, the probability of an earthquake with a magnitude exceeding Mw 7.25 has been calculated at approximately 2–3 percent per year. Therefore, the Eurasia Tunnel has been engineered to sustain no damage even in the event of an Mw 9 earthquake.

Tow trucks specially designed for the structure of the Tunnel are used to promptly remove disabled vehicles from the Tunnel.

Maximum allowed speed in the tunnel is 70 kilometers per hour. Drivers are reminded of the speed limit in the Tunnel by the vehicle monitoring system, radio announcement system and traffic signs. The speed inside the Tunnel will be managed by the Tunnel Speed Limit Control System (TEDES), established in coordination with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Security General Directorate, as in other existing tunnels in Turkey. Security General Directorate fines drivers exceeding the 70 km/h speed limit inside the Tunnel and on the approach roads.

The maximum permitted speed in the Tunnel is 70 kilometers per hour (70 km/h). Drivers are reminded of the speed limit through the vehicle monitoring system, radio announcement system, and traffic signage. Speed within the Tunnel is managed by the Tunnel Speed Limit Control System (TEDES), implemented in coordination with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the General Directorate of Security, consistent with practices applied in other tunnels across Türkiye. The General Directorate of Security enforces the speed limit and issues fines to drivers who exceed 70 km/h inside the Tunnel or on the approach roads.

• Automatic Accident and Incident Detection System and Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) System
• Smart Transportation System
• Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
• Tunnel Fire Extinguishing System
• Tunnel Drainage System
• Service and Emergency Telephones
• Access Control and Unauthorized Entry Detection Systems
• Radio Transmission and Public Address System
• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System
• Power Supply System (including UPS and generators)

The maximum speed limit inside the Tunnel is 70 kilometers per hour (70 km/h).
Speed inside the Tunnel is controlled by the Tunnel Speed Limit Control System (TEDES), implemented in coordination with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the General Directorate of Security, consistent with practices applied in other tunnels across Türkiye.

In addition to the LED lighting solution—implemented for the first time in a tunnel in Türkiye and introduced as part of enhanced safety measures—the Speed Regulator Moving Lighting System (Pacemaker) has been in operation since June 2020 to help drivers adapt their speed to the recommended limit of 70 km/h inside the Tunnel.

With the system patented by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on behalf of the Eurasia Tunnel, sudden speed changes at the deepest point of the Tunnel were reduced by 69% within the first year. Within the application zone, traffic efficiency increased by 8.5%, no traffic accidents were recorded, and congestion was reduced by approximately 53%. By lowering exhaust emissions by up to 12%, the system also contributes to reducing environmental pollution.

This innovative project was recognized by New Civil Engineer Magazine, which has awarded global tunneling excellence annually for 50 years in the UK, with the “Innovation in Tunneling Systems, Maintenance, and Renewal” Award in 2021.

The Eurasia Tunnel has been designed for use by light vehicles only. Vehicles taller than 2.80 meters, as well as bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians, are prohibited from using the Tunnel.

In accordance with the decision of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure dated 1 May 2022, motorcycles are also allowed to use the Eurasia Tunnel. To ensure traffic safety, motorcycle drivers must comply with all rules and follow safe riding practices throughout the tunnel. You can access the Eurasia Tunnel motorcycle safety video here.

Two-way GSM and internet connectivity are available inside the Tunnel

Marmaray was designed as a rail transit system, while the Eurasia Tunnel was built exclusively for light vehicles. Marmaray was constructed using immersed tube tunnel sections placed on the seabed of the Bosphorus. In contrast, the Eurasia Tunnel project involved constructing a double-deck highway tunnel beneath the seabed using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), along with other tunneling methods.

The Eurasia Tunnel was designed to withstand the strongest potential earthquake expected along the North Anatolian Fault Line (estimated at Mw 7.2), and two additional seismic joints were installed to further reinforce the Tunnel. Additionally, 2-meter-high protective walls were constructed on the European side to safeguard the Tunnel against a potential tsunami. 

The Eurasia Tunnel connects the Asian and European continents by road beneath the seabed of the Sea of Marmara, passing through the rock strata below the seafloor. The Tunnel has no contact with seawater, and its minimum distance from the seabed is approximately 25 meters. Therefore, the Tunnel does not cause harm to the marine ecosystem.

The environmentally friendly approach was not compromised during the construction process of the Eurasia Tunnel, which is an environmentally friendly project that takes care of ecological balances and does not harm marine life. The suitable parts of the excavation waste that emerged during the construction process of the tunnel were sent to the licensed recovery facilities for recycling, and the remaining part was disposed of in accordance with the laws and regulations in the licensed excavation waste storage areas operated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. No waste was disposed in the sea in any way.

In multiple ways, the Eurasia Tunnel delivers environmental benefits. It contributes to reducing fuel consumption and air pollutant emissions by shortening travel distances. By easing congestion and long waiting times, reduced traffic thanks to the Eurasia Tunnel further helps lower overall pollution levels.

A comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report was prepared for the Eurasia Tunnel, and a highly precautionary approach was adopted to manage its environmental impact. International financial institutions that supported the project closely monitor the ESIA process, including inspections of ESIA management implementation during both the construction and operation phases.

You can access the ESIA documents here

The part of the project on the European side runs parallel to the Historical Peninsula, the most significant heritage conservation area in Istanbul. What measures were implemented to ensure construction caused no damage to the area?

The Eurasia Tunnel Project was developed by integrating global best practices with specialized engineering expertise. All potential environmental and social impacts of the project were identified through the comprehensive ESIA study conducted for the project. Impact-mitigation measures were defined to minimize, eliminate, or transform potential negative impacts into positive outcomes.

You can access the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) here. Additionally, the UNESCO World Heritage Center is regularly informed about the project’s status, and its feedback is taken into account throughout the process.

Air quality assessments were conducted for both the interior and exterior of the Tunnel in accordance with international standards. Based on these assessments, all parties responsible for preparing and supervising the project concluded that a mechanical ventilation system with two extraction vents was appropriate and sufficient for the Eurasia Tunnel.

Exhaust emissions are directed to the shafts by a total of 92 jet fans (46 fans on each level) and are extracted by four axial fans, one of which serves as a spare unit. The ventilation shaft on the Asian side was designed to extend 25 meters above ground (28 meters in total) to avoid any impact on nearby tall buildings such as Siyami Ersek Hospital. The shaft on the European side was designed to extend 5 meters above ground (20 meters in total) to avoid any impact on the city skyline, in accordance with decisions issued by Istanbul Board No. 4 for Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation. The entire ventilation system was designed in compliance with these requirements.

Two outdoor air quality monitoring stations were installed by the Designated Company (Avrasya Tüneli İşletme İnşaat ve Yatırım A.Ş.) near the ventilation shafts on both sides of the Tunnel. Data collected from these stations are shared with the public through the National Air Quality Monitoring Network

In coordination with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the Designated Company has allocated space within each of the two ventilation buildings to construct air treatment plants if needed, as a precaution against potential exceedance of air quality standards due to unforeseen climate conditions. These systems will be activated as required.

Additional information and technical reports are available from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.

In 2024, a Solar Power Plant (SPP) with an installed capacity of 300.30 kWp was completed and commissioned at the Operations and Maintenance Building, as well as the Asia Ventilation and Transformer Buildings. Designed with 546 solar panels, the SPP helps meet a portion of the electricity demand for the Eurasia Tunnel’s operational activities.

With an annual production of 322,880 kWh of clean energy, the project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 210 tons per year.

In addition, since 2021, the Eurasia Tunnel has certified its renewable energy consumption through the International Renewable Energy Certificate (I-REC) system.

Since 2021, the Eurasia Tunnel has calculated the carbon footprint of its operational activities annually, with verification conducted by an independent third-party organization. Following verification, the Tunnel declares Carbon Neutral status by obtaining ISO 14064 certification through verified carbon-offset initiatives.

For the first time in a tunnel in Türkiye, LED lighting technology has been implemented throughout the entire Tunnel. To further enhance energy efficiency, a ventilation optimization project was implemented during the operational phase, delivering significant energy savings. Using cameras and sensors installed at the Tunnel’s entrances and exits, internal lighting levels are automatically adjusted based on driving safety requirements and external light conditions, further contributing to energy efficiency.

Our first Sustainability Report for 2023 has been published on our website. As the Eurasia Tunnel, we have also shared the sustainability policies developed within this framework with our stakeholders on our website, in line with our commitment to transparency.

To enhance the safety of the Eurasia Tunnel, tsunami walls were incorporated as a key structural safeguard to minimize the potential impact of a tsunami that could occur in the Sea of Marmara during a possible earthquake.
According to a report prepared by the Middle East Technical University (METU) Ocean Engineering Department, in the worst-case scenario, the European-side portal area (Kumkapı) could be affected by a tsunami with wave heights reaching up to 5.4 meters.
As a precautionary measure, the portal area was protected by tsunami walls with a height of 6 meters to prevent seawater intrusion into the Tunnel. These measures enhance the operational safety of the Tunnel against potential natural disasters.
Additionally, during the design phase of the Tunnel, protective measures were implemented, including the installation of drainage systems with sufficient capacity to address potential sea-level rise and increased water pressure.

Egis Road Operations has extensive expertise in developing and managing complex infrastructure projects worldwide. After many years of experience as a public–private partnership developer, investor, and systems integrator, Egis Road Operations has become a leading global company in infrastructure operations.

In 2014, Egis Road Operations signed contracts to operate 35 tunnel projects across 16 countries, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Poland, Austria, Ireland, Hungary, Greece, the Philippines, Canada, and Australia. In addition to 44 kilometers of tunnel projects currently under operation, the company’s portfolio also includes an additional 60 kilometers of tunnel projects scheduled for future launch.

For more information, visit www.egis-roadoperation.com

Avrasya Tüneli İşletme İnşaat ve Yatırım A.Ş. (ATAŞ) was established through an equal partnership between Türkiye’s Yapı Merkezi and South Korea’s SK E&C. Yapı Merkezi is among the leading construction companies in Türkiye and globally. The group specializes in general construction works and large‐scale public transportation system projects such as city subways and light rail systems.
With extensive international experience in building tunnels, bridges, and rail systems, Yapı Merkezi has completed 1,550 kilometers of railway across 37 systems worldwide, providing safe transportation to more than 1 million people daily across three continents. Many of these projects are located in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Morocco, and Sudan. Yapı Merkezi was listed in Engineering News‐Record’s (ENR) annual “Top 225 Global Contractors” rankings — 135th in 2005, 124th in 2007, 129th in 2009, 155th in 2010, and 143rd in 2011.
SK E&C is the construction and engineering division of SK Group, the third‐largest business group in South Korea, and was ranked 65th on the 2012 Fortune G

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